Buddhist Syncretism Essay

It is well known that the religions of Asia have spread across the continent and lingered within the culture of the land and the minds of their people. It can be seen how Taoist, Confucius, Hindu, and Buddhist thought have influenced Asia and its people. Buddhism especially has had a profound effect on the Asian world and even its close neighbors in the Middle East. Statues of the grandeur yet modest Buddha can been observed all over the continent. The Longmen Grottoes, the site of the Vairocana Buddha, is one example of a giant Buddha statue that has been erected in worship. Buddha statues were erected north of modern Afghanistan, north of Kabul, a place thought untouched by Buddhism. Unfortunately for that Afghanistan Buddha statue, it was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. These sites show the true expanding powers of Buddhism across Asia. Buddhism at its creation was enormously influenced by Hinduism. Using similar terminology and symbols, examples dharma and the use of the swastika. They both believe in detachment from worldly things. Both religions also encourage the use of yoga as key part of worship and clearing one’s mind. Buddhism is its own

Japan having their own belief, which has survived since the birth of japan itself, found it easy to adopt the teachings of Buddhism. This is one of the best examples and longstanding of Buddhist syncretism. BBC gives a brief description of the Shinto belief and practice, “The essence of Shinto is the Japanese devotion to invisible spiritual beings and powers called kami, to shrines, and to various rituals.” Shinto was really able to adapt Buddhism due to Shinto’s un-cemented or uninterested concern for explaining the world and themselves in relation to creation. Devoting oneself to communicating to Kami or spirits doesn’t take focus for worship. The Japanese found Buddhism as an addition to their belief system instead of a separate